Introduction: Prophets were sent to be reproves of the people and to tell people of their faults, and to warn them of the judgments of God, to which by sin they exposed themselves; so the prophet is employed in this and the following chapters. He is here, as counsel for the King of kings, opening an indictment against the people of Israel, and laboring to convince them of sin, and of their misery and danger because of sin, that he might prevail with them to repent and reform.
I. He shows them what were the grounds of God’s controversy with them, a general prevalence; of vice and profaneness.
1) In verses 1 and 2, they were ignorance and forgetfulness of God. 2) In verses 6 and 7, the worldly and the mindedness of the priests. 3) In verse 8, the drunkenness and uncleanness. 4) In verse 11 they were using divination and witchcraft. 5) In verse 12 they were offering sacrifices in the high places. 6) In verse 13 there were whoredoms. 7) In verses 14 and 18, and bribery among magistrates.
II. He shows them what would be the consequences of God’s controversy. God would punish them for these things below.
1) In verse 9; the whole land should be laid waste. 2) In verse 3 there were all sorts of people cut off. 3) In verse 5 their honor was lost. 4) In verse 7 their creature and comforts were unsatisfying. 5) In verse 10 and they were made ashamed. 6) In verse 19 and, which is several times mentioned here as the sorest judgment of all, they should be let alone in their sins. 7) In verse 17 they shall not reprove one another 8.) In verse 4, God will not punish them. 9) In verse 14 nay, he will let them prosper. 10) In verse 16 he gives warning to Judah not to tread in the steps of Israel, because they saw their steps went down to hell in verse 15.
(Daniel: Chapter 4; (570 B.C.)
III) (The King Proclamation); (Verses 1-3)
1) Read: (Daniel 4:1); Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. KJV
1) Explanation: (Daniel 4:1); in verse one; the salutation is actually the benediction. The King begins this account of a terrible seven year period of insanity by giving Glory to God. He begins after the fact, showing that all was unnecessary and was brought on by his pride and stubbornness before God. He now recognizes and, begins this chapter by praising the Lord, which shows Repentance on his part. The phrase, “in all the Earth”, must be understood as all the Earth under Nebuchadnezzar, not elsewhere.
1) Comments: (Daniel 4:1); in verse one, Nebuchadnezzar the King, proclaimed unto all the people. This is a regular decree, and is one of the most ancient on record; and no doubt it was copied from the state papers of Babylon. Now here Daniel has preserved it in the original language.
2) Read: (Daniel 4:2); I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. KJV
2) Explanation: (Daniel 4:2); in verse two; the account here he gives of his dream, by which he had notice of what was coming, here we may observe, that King Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house and prospering in my palace.
2) Comments: (Daniel 4:2); in verse two; the corruption was universal; and what good people there were among them were either lost or hid, or they hid themselves. By these they break out, that is, they transgress all bounds of reason and conscience, and the divine law; they have exceeded (Job 36:9); they have been overmuch wicked (Ecclesiastes 7:17); they suffer their corruptions to break out; they themselves break over, and break through, all that stands in their way and would stop them in their sinful career, as water overflows the banks.
2) Extra Comments, (Daniel 4:2); in verse two; sin is a violent thing and its power exorbitant; when men’s hearts are fully set in them to do evil (Ecclesiastes 8:11); what will be restrained from them? (Genesis 11:6). When they break out thus blood touches blood, that is, abundance of murders are committed in all parts of the country, and, as it were, in a constant series and succession. Now the Caedes, aliae aliis, sunt, contiguae, Murders touch murders; a stream of blood runs down among them, even royal blood. It was about this time that there was so much blood shed in grasping at the crown; Shallum slew Zechariah, and Menahem slew Shallum, Pekah slew Pekahiah, and Hoshea slew Pekah; and the like bloody work, it is likely, there was among other contenders so that the land was polluted with blood (Psalms 106:38); it was filled with blood from one end to the other, (II Kings 21:16).
3) Read: (Daniel 4:3); How great are his signs! And how mighty are his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. KJV
3) Explanation: (Daniel 4:3); in verse three; the signs an wonders that the God has wrought toward me, is all because of Daniel and the three Hebrew Children. How fortunate was this King to have had such in his Empire, and, above that, that he had the foresight to recognize it, and ultimately to be blessed.
3) Comments: (Daniel 4:3); in verse three; Now King Nebuchadnezzar states here, that before he relates the judgments of God that had been wrought upon him for his pride, he gives an account of the fair warning he had of them before they came, a due regard to which might have prevented them. But he was told of them, and of the issue of them, before they came to pass, that, when they did come to pass, by comparing them with the prediction of them, he might see, and say, that they were the Lord’s doing, and might be brought to believe that there is a divine revelation in the world, as well as a divine Providence, and that the works of God agree with his word.
IV) (Nebuchadnezzar’s Vision of a Tree) (Verses 4-18)
4) Read: (Daniel 4:4); I Nebuchadnezzar was at rest in mine house, and flourishing in my palace: KJV
4) Explanation: (Daniel 4:4); in verse four; Now, in the account here he gives of his dream, by which he had notice of what was coming, here we may observe, that King Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house and prospering in my palace.
4) Comments: (Daniel 4:4); in verse four; now the time when this alarm was given to him in verse 4; it was when he was at rest in his house and flourishing in his palace. He had lately conquered Egypt, and with it completed his victories, and ended his wars, and made himself monarch of all those parts of the world, which was about the thirty-fourth or thirty-fifth year of his reign, (Ezekiel 29:17). Then he had this dream, which was accomplished about a year after.
Now for seven years his distraction continued, upon his recovery from which he penned this declaration, lived about two years after, and died in his forty-fifth year. He had undergone a long fatigue in his wars, had made many a tedious and dangerous campaign in the field; but now at length he is at rest in his house, and there is no adversary, nor any evil occur-rent. God can reach the greatest of men with his terrors even when they are most secure, and think themselves at rest and flourishing.
5) Read: (Daniel 4:5); I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. KJV
5) Explanation: (Daniel 4:5); in verse five; Now the King will begin to give his account of what happened to him which brought him to the place evidenced in verses 1 through 3. This was the 18th year of his reign, which would have been about 15 years after the dream of the image and the interpretation. It was about a year before the capture of Jerusalem, which, according to (Jeremiah 52:12); Now this happened in the 19th year of Nebuchadnezzar. Therefore, he burned Jerusalem almost immediately before his insanity.
5) Comments: (Daniel 4:5); in verse five; the impression it made upon him in verse five. I saw a dream which made me afraid. One would think no little thing would frighten him that had been a man of war from his youth, and used to look the perils of war in the face without change of countenance. But when God pleases, a dream strikes a terror upon him. His bed, no doubt, was soft, and easy, and well-guarded, and yet his own thoughts upon his bed made him uneasy, and the visions of his head, the creatures of his own imagination, troubled him.
5) Extra-Comments: (Daniel 4:5); in verse five; always remember that our God can make the greatest of men uneasy even when they say to their souls. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry; he can make those that have been the troubles of the world, and have tormented thousands, to be their own troubles, their own tormentors, and those that have been the terror of the mighty a terror to themselves. Now by the consternation which this dream put him into, and the impression it made upon him, he perceived it to be, not an ordinary dream, but a dream sent of God on a special errand.
6) Read: (Daniel 4:6); therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream. KJV
6) Explanation: (Daniel 4:6); in verse six; The King orders are immediately given to summon all the wise men of Babylon that were such fools as to pretend by magic, divination, and inspecting the entrails of beasts, or observations of the stars, to predict things to come. Now they must all come together, to see if any one, or all of them in consultation could interpret the King’s dream.
6) Comments: (Daniel 4:6); in verse six; here the King orders are immediately given to summon all the wise men of Babylon that were such fools as to pretend by magic, divination, inspecting the entrails of beasts, or observations of the stars, to predict things to come. Now they must all come together, to see if any, or all of them in consultation, could interpret the king’s dream. It is probable that these people had sometimes, in a like case, given the king some sort of satisfaction, and by the rules of their art had answered the king’s queries so as to please him, whether it were right or wrong, hit or missed; but now his expectation from them was disappointed.
7) Read: (Daniel 4:7); then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof. KJV
7) Explanation: (Daniel 4:7); in verse seven; Now it was quite possibly that they gave him some type of “interpretation” which he knew in his spirit was wrong. Therefore the king sent for Daniel to see if he could interpret his dream.
7) Comments: (Daniel 4:7); in verse seven, they could not tell him the interpretation of it, though they had boasted, with great assurance (Daniel 2:4-7), that if they had but the dream told them, they would without fail interpret it). (But the key of this dream was in a sacred prophecy (Ezekiel 31:3). where the Assyrian is compared, as Nebuchadnezzar here, to a tree cut down, for his pride; and that was a book they had not studied, nor acquainted themselves with, else they might have been let into the mystery of this dream. Here providence ordered it so that they should be first puzzled with it, that Daniel’s interpreting it afterwards might redound to the glory of the God of Daniel. Now this was fulfilled when the prophet Isaiah foretold it in the book of (Isaiah 47:12-13). And that is when the ruin of Babylon was drawing on her enchantments and sorceries, her astrologers and star-gazers, should not be able to do her any service.
8) Read: (Daniel 4:8); But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my God, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying, KJV
8) Explanation: (Daniel 4:8); in verse eight; whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my God, reflects him still leaning toward these fale Babylonian deities. The great miracle he had seen years before, regarding the Revelation of the dream and the interpretation, and the recent miracle of the fiery furnace were tremendously impressive and gave the King serious pause; but they did not involve him personally, at least in a negative way, and consequently, they did not bring him to surrender. The phrase, “And in whom is the spirit of the Holy Gods,” Now this portrays him putting the God of Daniel in a superior position, but still clinging to the old gods.
8) Comments: (Daniel 4:8); in verse eight; tells us that here at the last Daniel came in verse eight. Now Either Daniel declined associating with the rest because of their badness, or they declined his company because of his goodness; or perhaps the king would rather that his own magicians should have the honor of doing it if they could than that Daniel should have it; or Daniel, being governor of the wise men in chapter two of (Daniel 2:48), was at last consulted. Many make God’s word their last refuge, and never have recourse to it till they are driven off from all other succors. The King compliments Daniel very highly, takes notice of the name which he had himself given him, in the choice of which he thinks he was very happy and that it was a good omen. Here the King said, “His name was Belteshazzar, from Bel, the name of my god.” Here the King applauds his rare endowments, and said to him that he has the spirit of the holy gods, and so he tells him to his face.
9) Read: (Daniel 4:9); O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee. Tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. KJV
9) Explanation: (Daniel 4:9); in verse nine; Now here the manner in which Nebuchadnezzar referred to Daniel which did not mean that he was a part of the magicians, but rather that he was recognized as having more wisdom that all the so called wise men of the Babylonian Empire.
9) Comments: (Daniel 4:9); in verse nine; now the King also applauds Daniel, not as a servant of God, but as master of the magicians in verse nine, and supposing his knowledge to differ from theirs, not in kind, but only in degree. But he consulted him not as a prophet, but as a celebrated magician, so endeavoring to save the credit of the art when those blundered and were nonplussed who were masters of the art. Here we can see how close his idolatry sat to him. Now the King has got a notion of many gods, and has chosen Bel for his god, and he cannot persuade himself to quit either his notion or his choice, though the absurdity of both had been evidenced to him, more than once, and beyond his contradiction. Here the King like other heathens kings would not change his gods, though they were not gods, (Jeremiah 2:11). Many persist in a false way only because they think they cannot in honor leave it. We see how loose his convictions were sat and how easily he had dropped them. The King once called the God of Israel a God of gods in chapter two of (Daniel 2:47). Now he sets him upon a level with the rest of those whom he calls the holy gods.
10) Read: (Daniel 4:10); Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. KJV
10) Explanation: (Daniel 4:10); in verse ten; Now the Assyrians, whom the Babylonians had defeated, which was a “sacred tree” the symbol of life, which was perpetually introduced into the sculptures of Nineveh, and seen also in some Babylonian cylinders, especially in connection with royal acts of worship.
10) Comments: (Daniel 4:10); in verse ten; the spirit of prophecy quite outdoes the spirit of divination, and even the enemies themselves were being judges; for it was so adjudged here, upon a fair trial of skill. This particular account he gives him of his dream. He saw a stately flourishing tree, remarkable above all the trees of the wood. This tree was planted in the midst of the earth in verse ten, and this representing him who reigned in Babylon, which was about the midst of the known world then.
11) Read: (Daniel 4:11); the tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: KJV
11) Explanation: (Daniel 4:11); in verse eleven; now the King saw a stately flourishing tree, remarkable above all the trees of the wood. This tree was planted in the midst of the earth and fitly representing him who reigned in Babylon, which was about the midst of the then known world. This tree, which was exceedingly great; and it reached unto heaven. The King over-powered those about him, and the potent armies he had the command of, with which he carried all before him, are signified by the strength of this tree. And it grew and was strong.
11) Comments: (Daniel 4:11); in verse eleven; now the King’s dignity and eminency above all his neighbors were signified by the height of this tree, which was exceedingly great; and it reached unto heaven. He over topped those about him, and aimed to have divine honors given him; nay, he over powered those about him, and the potent armies he had the command of, with which he carried all before him, are signified by the strength of this tree. Now it grew and was strong. And so much were Nebuchadnezzar and his growing greatness the talk of the nations, so much that their eye were upon him; some a jealous eye, and all eyes were wondering, that the sight of this tree is said to be to the end of all the earth.
12) Read: (Daniel 4:12); the leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. KJV
12) Explanation: (Daniel 4:12); in verse twelve; Now this tree is symbolic of the Babylonian Empire, its description is apt. From the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea, it stretched, in all probability, then from the Cataracts of the Nile into Asia Minor.
Its leaves were fair and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The living creatures of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches; and all flesh was fed from it.
12) Comments: (Daniel 4:12); in verse twelve; the leaves thereof were fair, denoting the pomp and splendor of Nebuchadnezzar’s court, which was the wonder of strangers and the glory of his own subjects. Nor was this tree for sight and state only, but for use. First; for protection; the boughs of it were for shelter both to the beasts and to the fowls. Princes should be a screen to their subjects from the heat and from the storm, should expose themselves to secure them, and study how to make them safe and easy. If the bramble be promoted over the trees, he invites them to come and trust in his shadow, such as it is in (Judges 9:15). It is protection that draws allegiance. The kings of the earth are to their subjects but as the shadow of a great tree; but Christ is to his subjects as the shadow of a great rock, (Isaiah 32:2). Nay, because that, though strong, may be cold, they are said to be hidden under the shadow of his wings (Psalms 17:8), where they are not only safe, but warm. Second; for provision, The Assyrian was compared to a cedar (Ezekiel 31:6), which affords shadow only; but this tree here had much fruit in it was meat for all and all flesh was fed of it. This mighty monarch, it should seem by this, not only was great, but did well; he did not impoverish, but enrich his country, and by his power and interest abroad brought wealth and trade to it. Those that exercise authority would be called benefactors (Luke 22:25), and the most effectual course they can take to support their authority is to be really benefactors. And see what is the best that great men, with their wealth and power can attain to, and that is to have the honor of having many to live upon them and to be maintained by them; for, as goods are increased, those are increased that eat them.
13) Read: (Daniel 4:13); I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; KJV
13) Explanation: (Daniel 4:13); in verse thirteen; Now the word “Watcher” occurs only in this chapter in the Bible; however, it is used a score of times in the book of Enoch, which was supposed to have been written about 130 B.C. That book, is obvious, it is not included in the Canon of Scriptures. I saw in the visions of my head (as I lay) on my bed, and behold, a watcher, a holy one, came down from heaven.
13) Comments: (Daniel 4:13); in verse thirteen; the King heard the doom of this tree read, which he perfectly remembered, and related here, perhaps word for word as he heard it. The sentence was passed upon it by an angel, whom he saw come down from heaven, and heard proclaim this sentence aloud. This angel is here called a watcher, or watchman, not only because angels by their nature are spirits. And therefore neither slumber nor sleep, but because by their office they are ministering spirits, and attend continually to their ministrations, and watching all opportunities of serving their great Master. They, as watchers, encamp round those that fear God, to deliver them, and bear them up in their hands. This angel was a messenger, or ambassador (so some read it), and a holy one. Now Holiness becomes God’s house; therefore angels that attend and are employed by him are holy ones; they preserve the purity and rectitude of their nature, and are in everything conformable to the divine will.
14) Read: (Daniel 4:14); He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: KJV
14) Explanation: (Daniel 4:14); in verse fourteen; now the “Watcher” gives instructions as to what is to be done with the tree. Here the tree was to be cut down, and the beasts are commanded to flee away from under its branches.
Now here the King’s courtiers, officers and all others abandoned him as soon as his insanity appeared. He cried aloud (with might) and said, cut down the tree and cut off its branches; shake off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the living creatures flee from under it and the fowls from its branches.
14) Comments: (Daniel 4:14); in verse fourteen; let us review the doom passed upon this tree. First the orders are given that it be cut down in verse fourteen. Now also the axe is laid to the root of this tree. Though it is ever so high, ever so strong, that cannot secure it when its day comes to fall; the beasts and fowls, that are sheltered in and under the boughs of it, are driven away and dispersed; the branches are cropped, the leaves shaken off, and the fruit scattered.
14) Extra-Comments: (Daniel 4:14); in verse fourteen; Here worldly prosperity in its highest degree is a very uncertain thing; and it is no uncommon thing for those that have lived in the greatest pomp and power to be stripped of all that which they trusted to and gloried in. By the turns of providence, those who made a figure become captives, those who lived in plenty, and above what they had, are reduced to straits, and live far below what they had, and those perhaps are brought to be beholden to others who once had many depending upon them and making suit to them. But the trees of righteousness, that are planted in the house of the Lord and bring forth fruit to him, shall not be cut down, nor shall their leaf wither.
15) Read: (Daniel 4:15); Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: KJV
15) Explanation: (Daniel 4:15); in verse fifteen; Now the “tree” is not to be destroyed, but only cut down; it will therefore, sprout again. Actually, the “band of iron and brass” symbolizes the mental darkness that Nebuchadnezzar will be under, with him bound, at least to some extent, with fetters. Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the midst of the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of the heavens, and let him share the lot of the living creatures in the grass of the earth.
15) Comments: (Daniel 4:15); in verse fifteen; here care is taken that the root be preserved in verse fifteen; “Leave the stump of it in the earth”, exposed to all weathers. There let it lie neglected and buried in the grass. Let the beasts that formerly sheltered themselves under the boughs now repose themselves upon the stump; but that it may not be raked to pieces, nor trodden to dirt, and to show that it is yet reserved for better days, let it be hooped round with a band of iron and brass, to keep it firm.”
15) Extra-Comments: (Daniel 4:15); in verse fifteen; God in judgment remembers mercy; and may yet have good things in store for those whose condition seems most forlorn. There is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, that through the scent of water it will bud, in (Job 14:7-9).
16) Read: (Daniel 4:16); Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. KJV
16) Explanation: (Daniel 4:16); in verse sixteen; this verse leaves absolutely no doubt that the Holy Spirit is speaking here of a man. Now “seven times represents seven years”. Let his nature and understanding be changed from a man’s and let a beast’s nature and understanding be given him, and let seven times (or years) pass over him.
16) Comments: (Daniel 4:16); in verse sixteen; the meaning of this is explained by the angel himself to Nebuchadnezzar in verse sixteen. Whoever is the person signified by this tree he is sentenced to be deposed from the honor, state, and dignity of a man, to be deprived of the use of his reason, and to be and live like a brute, till seven times pass over him. Let a beast’s heart be given unto him. This is surely the saddest and sorest of all temporal judgments, worse a thousand times than death, and though, like it, least felt by those that lie under it, yet to be dreaded and deprecated more than any other. Nay, whatever outward affliction God is pleased to lay upon us, we have reason to bear it patiently, and to be thankful that he continues to us the use of our reason and the peace of our consciences. But those proud tyrants who set their heart as the heart of God in (Ezekiel 27:2); may justly be deprived of the heart of man, and have a beast’s heart given them.
17) Read: (Daniel 4:17); This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. KJV
17) Explanation: (Daniel 4:17); in verse seventeen; in other words, in one way or the other, our God controls all things. Now we as believers should always remember that “The Most-High God Rules everything and everybody” and God never leaves the government of the world to man, or to fortuitous occurrences. This sentence is by the decree of the (heavenly) watchers and the decision is by the word of the holy ones, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High (God) rules the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whomever He will and sets over it the humblest and lowliest of men.
17) Comments: (Daniel 4:17); in verse seventeen; the truth of it is confirmed in verse seventeen. This matter is by the decree of the watchers and the demand by the word of the holy ones. (God has determined it, as a righteous Judge; he has signed this edict; pursuant to his eternal counsel. The decree has gone forth, and, first the angels of heaven have subscribed to it, as attesting it, approving it, and applauding it. It is by the decree of the watchers; not that the great God needs the counsel or concurrence of the angels in anything he determines or does, but, as he uses their ministration in executing his counsels, so he is sometimes represented, after the manner of men, as if he consulted them. Whom shall I send? (Isaiah 6:8. Who shall persuade Ahab? (I kings 22:20). So it denotes the solemnity of this sentence. The king’s breves, or short writs, pass, Test me in so in my presence; but charters used to be signed, His test us in the presence of us whose names are under written; such was Nebuchadnezzar’s doom; it was by the decree of the watchers. Second; now the saints on earth petitioned for it, as well as the angels in heaven. The demand is by the word of the holy ones. God’s suffering people that had long groaned under the heavy yoke of Nebuchadnezzar’s tyranny, cried to him for vengeance; they made the demand, and God gave this answer to it; for, when the oppressed cry to God, he will hear, (Exodus 22:27). The sentence was passed, in Ahab’s time, that there should be no more rain, at Elijah’s word, when he made intercession against Israel, (I Kings 17:1).
17) Extra-Comments: (Daniel 4:17); in verse seventeen; the design of it is declared. And orders are given for the cutting down of this tree, to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules. This judgment must be executed, to convince the unthinking, unbelieving, world, that verily there is a God that judges in the earth, a God that governs the world, that not only has a kingdom of his own in it, and administers the affairs of that kingdom, but rules also in the kingdom of men, in the dominion that one man has over another, and gives that to whomsoever he will; from him promotion comes, in (Psalms 75:6-7). He advances men to power and dominion that little expected it, and crosses the projects of the ambitious and aspiring. Sometimes he sets up the basest of men, and serves his own purposes by them.
He sets up mean men, as David from the sheepfold; he raises the poor out of the dust, to set them among princes in (Psalms 113:7-8). Nay, sometimes he sets up bad men, to be a scourge to a provoking people. This he can do, thus he may do, and thus he often does, and gives not account of any of his matters. By humbling Nebuchadnezzar it was designed that the living should be made to know this. The dead know it, that have gone to the world of spirits, the world of retribution; they know that the Most High rules; but the living must be made to know it and lay it to heart, that they may make their peace with God before it be too late.
18) Read: (Daniel 4:18); this dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee. KJV
18) Explanation: (Daniel 4:18); in verse eighteen; this would be totally unlike the dream of years before, Now when Daniel exclaimed to him, that you are this head of gold in (Daniel 2:38). Now this “head of gold” will be reduced to a stump. (Daniel), declare now its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.
18) Comments: (Daniel 4:18); in verse eighteen; here King Nebuchadnezzar fully and faithfully related his dream, what he saw and what he heard, and then demands of Daniel the interpretation of it in verse eighteen, for he found that no one else was able to interpret it, but was confident that he was. For the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, or of the Holy God, the proper title of the God of Israel. Much may be expected from those that have in them the Spirit of the Holy God. Whether Nebuchadnezzar had any jealousy that it was his own doom that was read by this dream does not appear; perhaps he was so vain and secure as to imagine that it was some other prince that was a rival with him, whose fall he had the pleasing prospect of given him in this dream; but, be it for him or against him, he is very solicitous to know the true meaning of it and depends upon Daniel to give it to him. Now, When God gives us general warnings of his judgments we should be desirous to understand his mind in them, to hear the Lord’s voice crying in the city.
III) (Daniel Interprets the King’s Dream) (Verses 19-26)
19) Read: (Daniel 4:19); then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, my lord, the dream be; to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies. KJV
19) Explanation: (Daniel 4:19); in verse nineteen; When Daniel heard the King’s dream, the interpretation which the Lord God gave to him literally terrified him, even so much that his countenance was changed. Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished and dismayed and stricken dumb for a while concerned about the king’s destiny, and his thoughts troubled, agitated, and alarmed him. The king said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream or its interpretation trouble or alarm you. Belteshazzar answered, my lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its message for your enemies.
19) Comments: (Daniel 4:19); in verse nineteen; we have here the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream; and when once it is applied to himself, and it is declared that he is the tree in the dream Mutate nomine de the fibula narrator, change but the name, the fable speaks of thee, when once it is said, Thou art the man, there needs little more to be said for the explication of the dream.
Now out of his own mouth he is judged; and so shall his doom be, he himself has decided it. The thing was so plain that Daniel, upon hearing the dream, was astonished for one hour in verse nineteen. He was struck with amazement and terror at so great a judgment coming upon so great a prince. His flesh trembled for fear of God. He was likewise struck with confusion when he found himself under a necessity of being the man that must bring to the king these heavy tidings, which, having received so many favors from the king, he had rather he should have heard from anyone else; so far is he from desiring the woeful day that he dreads it, and the thoughts of it trouble him. Those that come after the ruined sinner are said to be astonished at his day, as those that went before, and saw it coming (as Daniel here), were affrighted in (Job 18:20).
19) Extra-Comments: (Daniel 4:19); in verse nineteen; the preface to the interpretation is a civil compliment which, as a courtier, he passes upon the king. The king observed him to stand as one astonished, and, thinking he was loth to speak out for fear of offending him, he encouraged him to deal plainly and faithfully with him; Let not the dream, nor the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. This he speaks; First; as one that sincerely desired to know this truth. Those that consult the oracles of God must be ready to receive them as they are, whether they be for them or against them, and must accordingly give their ministers leave to be free with them. Now second he spoke as one that despised the truth, and set it at defiance. When we see how regardless he was of this warning afterwards we are tempted to think that this was his meaning; “Let it not trouble thee”, for I am resolved it shall not trouble me; nor will I lay it to heart.” But, whether he have any concern for himself or no, Daniel is concerned for him, and therefore wishes, “The dream be to those that hate thee. Let the ill it bodes light on the head of thy enemies, not on thy head.” Though Nebuchadnezzar was an idolater, a persecutor, and an oppressor of the people of God, yet he was, at present, Daniel’s prince; and therefore, though Daniel foresees, and is now going to foretell, and ill concerning him, he dares not wish ill to him.
20) Read: (Daniel 4:20); the tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth. KJV
20) Explanation: (Daniel 4:20); in verse twenty; the interpretation itself is only a repetition of the dream, with application to the king. Now as for the tree which thou sawest flourishing in verse twenty, it is thou, O king. The tree that you saw, which grew great and was strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which was visible to all the earth,
20) Comments: (Daniel 4:20); in verse twenty; the interpretation itself is only a repetition of the dream, with application to the king. Now as for the tree which thou sawest flourishing in verse twenty it is thou, O king”.
21) Read: (Daniel 4:21); whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: KJV
21) Explanation: (Daniel 4:21); in verse twenty-one; Now the dream is so fully interpreted in the following verses that it needs no comments. But the trees leaves were fair, and the fruit there was much abundant of food for all, under which the living creatures of the field dwelt. And on whose branches the birds of the sky had their nests built.
21) Comments: (Daniel 4:21); in verse twenty-one; now the interpretation itself is only a repetition of the dream, with application to the king. “As for the tree which thou sawest flourishing verse 20 and 21, it is thou, O king!” And willing enough would the king be to hear this (as, before, to hear, Thou art the head of gold), but for that which follows.
Here Daniel shows the king his present prosperous state in the glass of his own dream. And Thy greatness has grown and reaches as near to heaven as human greatness can do, and thy dominion is to the end of the earth, in (chapter 2:37-38).
22) Read: (Daniel 4:22); it is thou, O king that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth. KJV
22) Explanation: (Daniel 4:22); in verse twenty-two; these statements proclaim the fact that the Monarch’s dominion was vast, but it had been given to him by the Lord God. But this he did not recognize, and hence the judgment that came upon him. Daniel said it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; your greatness has increased and it reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the ends of the earth.
22) Comments: (Daniel 4:22); in verse twenty-two; and the King would be willing be to hear this again as, before, to hear, Thou art the head of gold), but for that which follows. He shows the king his present prosperous state in the glass of his own dream; “Thy greatness has grown and reaches as near to heaven as human greatness can do, and thy dominion is to the end of the earth,” (Daniel 2:37-38).
23) Read: (Daniel 4:23); and whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; KJV
23) Explanation: (Daniel 4:23); in verse twenty-three; now the Watcher and a Holy One said, cut the tree down, and destroy it. This refers to Nebuchadnezzar being cut down from his place of position and authority by the reason of insanity. Yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the ground. Now this refers to his life being spared, with a restoration intended for the future. This phrase, “And let it be wet with the dew of Heaven,” This refers to the type of insanity; which caused him to seek habitation in the open as an animal. Some think his form of insanity was a disease known as “lycanthropy”, in which a man imagines himself to be some form of an animal. And whereas the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, Cut the tree down and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth with a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field; and let him be wet with the dew of the heavens, and let his portion be with the living creatures of the field until seven times or years pass over him.
23) Comments: (Daniel 4:23); in verse twenty-three; now the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, Cut the tree down and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth with a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Here the term “watcher” means “waking one” and the one who is constantly alert. Now the “Holy One” suggests that the watcher is either the Lord God Himself or one of His Angels.
24) Read: (Daniel 4:24); this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king: KJV
24) Explanation: (Daniel 4:24); in verse twenty-four; Now “the Most High,” is an appellative denoting supremacy of supremacy. This is the One who has the final say! This is the One who everyone will answer to at the end of time. This is the interpretation, O King: It is the decree of the Most High (God) which has come upon my lord the king.
24) Comments: (Daniel 4:24); in verse twenty-four; the King must not only be deposed from his throne, but he must be driven from men, and being deprived of his reasons, and having a beast’s heart given to him. The King must dwell with the beasts of the field, and with them he shall be a fellow-commoner. The King must eat grass as an oxen, and like them, he must lie out in all kinds of weathers, and be wet with the dew of heaven, and this time will be until seven times have pass over him, which is seven years. And only then he shall know that the Most High rules all, and when he is brought back to know and his own, and then the King shall be restored to his dominion again in verse twenty-six.
25) Read: (Daniel 4:25); that they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. KJV
25) Explanation: (Daniel 4:25); in verse twenty-five; Now despite all that King Nebuchadnezzar had seen, still, his pride and ego were the culprits of his rebellion against God. The King considered himself to be the master of his own fate and the ruler of his own kingdom). (He would not recognize that he had been placed in this position by “The Most High,” but gave himself the credit, for making himself a god. However, the Lord God loved him enough to resort to drastic measures in order to bring him to his senses. You shall be driven from among men and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field; you shall be made to eat grass as do the oxen and you shall be wet with the dew of the heavens; and seven times (or years) shall pass over you until you learn and know and recognize that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whomever He will.
25) Comments: (Daniel 5:25); in verse twenty-five; for many people it may be difficult to understand why all the wise men, the magicians, the soothsayers, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers were unable to translate a few simple words. Now when Daniel’s prescribed education in languages was the same as their own and he had no difficulty translating. The answer is that any wise man who was present there probably could recognize the four inscribed words, but only the uncompromising man of God who knew God through daily fellowship and communion with Him, who was so dedicated to Him that God could speak to him and through him only such a man could tell what the words really meant. (Blessed (happy), fortunate, prosperous, and enviable are those who dare to be a Daniel!
26) Read: (Daniel 4:26); and whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. KJV
26) Explanation: (Daniel 4:26); in verse twenty-six; Now once again, the Holy Spirit repeats the cause and reason for this act of God. Now after that you shall have known that the Heavens do rule. And in that it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be sure to you after you have learned and know that the God of heaven rules.
26) Comments: (Daniel 4:26); in verse twenty-six; here the King is told that “Thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee”. But no new king was set up; but Evil-merodach his son was regent during his father’s insanity.
IV) “Here advice is given to The King; The Advice is rejected”
27) Read: (Daniel 4:27); wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. KJV
27) Explanation: (Daniel 4:27); in verse twenty-seven; Here an offer of Repentance is extended, which if it was accepted it will negate this judgment. But the King did not accept the offer of “Repentance). Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you; break off your sins and show the reality of your repentance by righteousness (right standing with God and moral and spiritual rectitude and rightness in every area and relation) and liberate yourself from your iniquities by showing mercy and loving-kindness to the poor and oppressed, that if the king will repent) there may possibly be a continuance and lengthening of your peace and tranquility and a healing of your error.
27) Comments: (Daniel 4:27); in verse twenty-seven; now the break off of thy sins by righteousness; do justice. But thou hast been an oppressive man, which show mercy to the poor, and many of whom have been made such by thyself, this has been witness by the whole nation of the Jews. Now the King was to cease from his sins and repent and also he was to bring forty fruits that meet’s for repentance. If he did this he might find mercy at the hand of God.
28) Read: (Daniel 4:28); All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. KJV
28) Explanation: (Daniel 4:28); in verse twenty-eight; Now it came upon him, because he rejected the “Word of the Lord”. But the King was given twelve months here in order that he may repent, but the King never did repent. All this was fulfilled and came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.
28) Comments: (Daniel 4:28); in verse twenty-eight; the King was to break off thy sins by righteousness and do justice to all. The King must show mercy to the poor and to many of whom he had made such by himself. The King must witness to the whole nation of the Jews and cease from his sins and repent, and bring forth fruits to meet for repentance.
29) Read: (Daniel 4:29); at the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. KJV
29) Explanation: (Daniel 4:29); in verse twenty-nine; Now after twelve months, he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon, denotes a prideful attitude, which was filled with pomp, majesty, and a sense of well-being and in his case, the master of the world, or so he thought. The King thought he was his own man, the captain of his own fate and therefore, he was a servant to no one. Now in his mind he thought, was not this “palace” and this great city in its self is proof of what a great King he was). At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon.
29) Comments: (Daniel 4:29); in verse twenty-nine; here Daniel tells the King that God’s patience with him and all this came upon him, but not till twelve months after verse 29. Now as long as there was a lengthening of his tranquility, though it does not appear that he broke off his sins, or showed any mercy to the poor captives, for this was still God’s quarrel with him, and that he opened not the house of his prisoners, in (Isaiah 14:17). Here Daniel having counselled him to repent, and God so far confirmed his word that he gave him space to repent. And God let him alone this year also, this one year more, before he brought this judgment upon him. Now we should remember that God is long-suffering with provoking sinners. And that is because he is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, (II Peter 3:9).
30) Read: (Daniel 4:30); the king spake, and said, is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? KJV
30) Explanation: (Daniel 4:30); in verse thirty; he now gives his answer to the appeal of the Holy Spirit. And it will be a pompous answer, as is most of the world.
Now to be sure, that he was called to account, and all will ultimately be called in to account. The king said, is not this the great Babylon that I have built as the royal residence and seat of government by the might of my power and for the honor and glory of my majesty?
30) Comments: (Daniel 4:30); in verse thirty; the king said, is not this the great Babylon that I have built here? But here the king’s heart was inflated with pride; which he attributed everything to himself, and he acknowledged God in nothing but himself for everything that he did. Now the walls, the hanging gardens, the temple of Bel, and the royal palace, all of these were built by Nebuchadnezzar, and this made it the greatest city in the world.
V) “The Dream is fulfilled”
31) Read: (Daniel 4:31); while the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; the kingdom is departed from thee. KJV
31) Explanation: (Daniel 4:31); in verse thirty-one; Now King Nebuchadnezzar, was a victorious and proud King at this time. But God had warned him in the dream and He had enough of King Nebuchadnezzar and his ponies and proud attunes. So God spoke to the King and revealed that his kingdom would be taken from him while his words was in his mouth. While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you.
31) Comments: (Daniel 4:31); in verse thirty-one; now while the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O King Nebuchadnezzar, all thy goods and thy gods are gone in a moment. Can you imagine, just how awful the King felted at that moment when he heard those words from God that your kingdom has departed from you?
32) Read: (Daniel 4:32); and they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. KJV
32) Explanation: (Daniel 4:32); in verse thirty-two; the King will be driven from among men and his dwelling will be with the living creatures of the field. There the King will be made to eat grass like the oxen for seven years. Then the King will learned and know, that the Most High God rules in the kingdoms of men and gives it to whomever He chooses.
32) Comments: (Daniel 4:32); in verse thirty-two; now they shall make thee and thou shall be made to eat grass as the oxen. Now the madness that fell upon him induced him to forsake society, and to run to the woods and deserts, where he lived like a wild beast, his hairs will grow long and thick, so as to be a substitute for clothing. And his nails strong and hooked, so that he might chimp the trees better and grub up the ground, in order that he can get roots and earth nuts. It was the mercy of God that you be clothed and accorded him. Now his case seems much like that of the maniac in the gospel, whose dwelling was among the tombs and in the mountains, and who shunned the society of men.
33) Read: (Daniel 4:33); the same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. KJV
33) Explanation: (Daniel 4:33); in verse thirty-three; now they shall drive thee from men in verse 32 and it was fulfilled in verse 33.
Here he was driven from men the same hour and he fell stark mad, distracted in the highest degree that ever any man was. Now his understanding and memory were all gone, and all his faculties of a rational soul was broken and this was so that he became a perfect brute in the shape of a man. He went naked and on all four legs, like a brute, and he shun the society of reasonable creatures and run wild into the fields and woods, and was driven out by his own servants, who, after some time of trial, and despairing his return to his right mind, and they abandoned him and looked after him no more.
33) Comments: (Daniel 4:33); in verse thirty-three; and it was fulfilled in verse 33 and he was driven from men the same hour. Then all of a sudden he fell stark mad, distracted in the highest degree that ever any man was. His understanding and memory were gone, and all the faculties of a rational soul broken, so that he became a perfect brute in the shape of a man. He went naked, and on all four, like a brute, he did himself shun the society of reasonable creatures and run wild into the fields and woods, and was driven out by his own servants, who, after some time of trial, despairing of his return to his right mind, they abandoned him, and looked after him no more. He had not the spirit of a beast of prey (that of the royal lion), but of the abject and less honorable species, for he was made to eat grass as oxen; and, probably, he did not speak with human voice, but lowed like an ox. Some think that his body was all covered with hair; however, the hair of his head and beard, being never cut nor combed, grew like Eagles feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. Let us pause a little, and view this miserable spectacle; and let us receive instruction from it.
33) (First; let us see here what a mercy it is to have the use of our reason, how thankful we ought to be for it, and how careful we ought to be not to do anything which may either provoke God or may have a natural tendency to put us out of the possession of our own souls. Let us learn how to value our own reason, and to pity the case of those that are under the prevailing power of melancholy or distraction, or are delirious, and to be very tender in our censures of them and conduct towards them, for it is a trial common to men, and a case which, sometime or other, may be our own.
33) (Second; let us see here the vanity of human glory and greatness. Is this Nebuchadnezzar the Great? What this despicable animal that is meaner than the poorest beggar? Is this he that looked so glorious on the throne, so formidable in the camp that had politics enough to subdue and govern kingdoms, and now has not so much sense as to keep his own clothes on his back? Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms? (Isaiah 14:16). Never let the wise man then glory in his wisdom, nor the mighty man in his strength.
33) Thirdly; let us see here how God resists the proud, and delights to abase them and put contempt upon them. Nebuchadnezzar would be more than a man, and therefore God justly makes him less than a man, and puts him upon a level with the beasts who set up for a rival with his Maker. Please read this scripture on, (Job 40:11–13).
VI) (Nebuchadnezzar is Restored; and Praises God) (Verses 34-37)
34) Read: (Daniel 4:34); and at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: KJV
34) Explanation: (Daniel 4:34); in verse thirty-four; here King Nebuchadnezzar’s recovery from his distraction, and his return to his right mind, at the end of the days prefixed, that is after the seven years.
Here as long as he continued a monument of God’s justice and a trophy of his victory over the children of pride, and he was made more so by being struck mad than if he had been in an instant struck dead with a thunderbolt. But it was a mercy to him that he was kept alive, for while there is life there is hope that we may yet praised God, as he did here. Now at the end of the days, the King lifted up his eyes unto heaven in verse 34 and looked no longer down towards the earth as a beast, but he began to look up as a man.
34) Comments: (Daniel 4:34); in verse thirty-four; he has the use of his reason so far restored to him that with it he glorifies God, and humbles himself under his mighty hand). (He was told that he should continue in that forlorn case till he should know that the Most High rules and here we have him brought to the knowledge of this. My understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High.
34) Extra-Comments: (Daniel 4:34); in verse thirty-four; those may justly be reckoned void of understanding that do not bless and praise God; nor do men ever rightly use their reason till they begin to be religious, nor live as men till they live to the glory of God. As reason is the substratum or subject of religion so that creatures which have no reason are not capable of religion, so religion is the crown and glory of reason, and we have our reason in vain, and shall one day wish we had never had it, if we do not glorify God with it. This was the first act of Nebuchadnezzar’s returning reason; and, when this became the employment of it, he was then, and not till then, qualified for all the other enjoyments of it. And till he was for a great while disabled to exercise it in other things he never was brought to apply it to this, which is the great end for which our reason is given us. His folly was the means whereby he became wise; he was not recovered by his dream of this judgment (that was soon forgotten like a dream, but he is made to feel it, and then his ear is opened to discipline. To bring him to himself, he must first be beside himself. And by this it appears that what good thoughts there were in his mind, and what good work was wrought there, were not of himself for he was not his own man, but it was the gift of God. Let us see what Nebuchadnezzar is now at length effectually brought to the acknowledgment of; and we may learn from it what to believe concerning God. First; that the Most High God lives forever, and his being knows neither change nor period, for he has it of himself. His flatterers often complimented him with, O king! Live forever. But he is now convinced that no king lives forever, but the God of Israel only, who is still the same.
35) Read: (Daniel 4:35); and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou? KJV
35) Explanation: (Daniel 4:35); in verse thirty-five; that the most high God lives forever, and his being knows neither change nor period, for he has it of himself. His flatterers often complimented him with, O king and live forever. But he is now convinced that no king lives forever, but the God of Israel only, who is still the same. That his kingdom is like himself, everlasting, and his dominion from generation to generation; there is no succession, no revolution, in his kingdom. As he lives, so he reigns, forever, and of his government there is no end. That all nations before him are as nothing. He has no need of them; he makes no account of them. The greatest of men, in comparison with him, are less than nothing. Those that think highly of God think meanly of themselves. That his kingdom is universal, and both the armies of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth are his subjects, and under his check and control. Both angels and men are employed by him, and are accountable to him; the highest angel is not above his command, nor the meanest of the children of men beneath his cognizance. The angels of heaven are his armies, the inhabitants of the earth his tenants. That his power is irresistible, and his sovereignty uncontrollable, for he does according to his will, according to his design and purpose, according to his decree and counsel.
And whatever he pleases that he does; whatever he appoints that he performs; and none can resist his will, change his counsel, nor stay his hand, nor say unto him. What does thou?
35) Comments: (Daniel 4:35); in verse thirty-five; that his kingdom is like himself, everlasting, and his dominion from generation to generation; there is no succession, no revolution, in his kingdom. As he lives, so he reigns, forever, and of his government there is no end. That all nations before him are as nothing. He has no need of them; he makes no account of them. The greatest of men, in comparison with him, are less than nothing. Those that think highly of God think meanly of themselves. That his kingdom is universal, and both the armies of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth are his subjects, and under his check and control. Both angels and men are employed by him, and are accountable to him; the highest angel is not above his command, nor the meanest of the children of men beneath his cognizance. The angels of heaven are his armies, the inhabitants of the earth his tenants. That his power is irresistible, and his sovereignty uncontrollable, for he does according to his will, according to his design and purpose, according to his decree and counsel. Now whatever he pleases that he does; whatever he appoints that he performs; and none can resist his will, change his counsel, nor stay his hand, nor say unto him. What does thou? None can arraign his proceedings, enquire into the meaning of them, nor demand a reason for them. Woe to him that strives with his maker that says to him. What does thou? Or, why does thou so?
36) Read: (Daniel 4:36); At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. KJV
36) Explanation: (Daniel 4:36); in verse thirty-six; the King said that my reasons were returned to me. And everything was fulfilled that was exhibited by the dream and its interpretation. Now it is very likely that this unfortunate king had so concealed himself that the place of his retreat was not found out. Also the providence of God had so watched over everything, that upon the King’s return to his palace, he found his counselors and lords, who received him gladly, and cleaved to and served the King as they had done before.
36) Comments: (Daniel 4:36); in verse thirty-six; he has the use of his reason so far restored to him as with it to re-enjoy himself, and the pleasures of his re-established prosperity in verse 36. Now at the same time my reason returned to me; he had said before in verse 34 that his understanding returned to him, and here he mentions it again, for the use of our reason is a mercy we can never be sufficiently thankful for. Now his lords sought to him; he did not need to seek to them, and they soon perceived, not only that he had recovered his reason and was fit to rule, but that he had recovered it with advantage, and was more fit to rule than ever.
37) Read: (Daniel 4:37); now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase. KJV
37) Explanation: (Daniel 4:37); in verse thirty-seven it is possible that the King was a true convert and he relapsed, no more into idolatry and died in the faith of the God of Israel. It is supposed that the King lived seventeen years after his restoration.
37) Comments: (Daniel 4:37); in verse thirty-seven it is probable that the dream and the interpretation of it were well known, and much talked of, at court; and the former part of the prediction being fulfilled, that he should go distracted, they doubted not but that, according to the prediction, he should come to himself again at seven years’ end, and, in confidence of that, when the time had expired they were ready to receive him; and then his honor and brightness returned to him. The same that he had before his madness seized him. He is now established in his kingdom as firmly as if there had been no interruption given him. He becomes a fool, that he may be wise, wiser than ever; and he that but the other day was in the depth of disgrace and ignominy has now excellent majesty added to him, beyond what he had when he went from kingdom to kingdom conquering and to conquer.
a) Now When men are brought to honor God, particularly by a penitent confession of sin and a believing acknowledgment of his sovereignty, then, and not till then, they may expect that God will put honor upon them, will not only restore them to the dignity they lost by the sin of the first Adam, but add excellent majesty to them from the righteousness and grace of the second Adam.
b) Now afflictions shall last no longer than till they have done the work for which they were sent. When this prince is brought to own God’s dominion over himself.
c) All the accounts we take and give of God’s dealing with us ought to conclude with praises to him. When Nebuchadnezzar is restored to his kingdom he praises, and extols, and honors the King of heaven in verse 37, before he applies himself to his secular business. Therefore we have our reason, that we may be in a capacity of praising him, and therefore our prosperity, that we may have cause to praise him.
A) Now this concludes our Bible Study on the fourth chapter of the book of Daniel. Next week we will continue our lesson studies in the chapter five of the book of Daniel. Please be much in prayer for me as I try to teach this great book of the Bible.
B) Remember; if you are not saved our God has the power to save anyone that calls upon the name of Jesus Christ and repents of their sins. Now all that are lost need God’s power because we have a problem with sin. The Bible tells us that “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23).
C) Now you can find the way to Heaven in the book of (Romans 10:9). This scripture in the bible tells us that “If you confess with your mouth, that “Jesus is Lord,” and that you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
D) We all need to confess our sins and ask God for his forgiveness. When you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord, then this involves that you are agreeing with God about your sin and your need for Salvation. You must repent of your own personal sins, by doing this you are willing to turn away from the direction in life in which you are going.
E) Now to “believe in your heart” is to place your faith in Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, also you are trusting that Jesus died on the Cross to pay for your sins. But our God proves His own love for us in that while we were sill sinners, Jesus Christ died for all of us. (Romans 5:8).
F) Remember, if you would like to have Salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ, you sincerely pray a prayer like this one; “Please God, I confess to you my sins and I need for you to save me right now. Turn away from my sins and I place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord of my life forever. Amen.”
G) Before we close chapter 4 of the book of Daniel, I would just like to say, I believe that all the scriptures are very important to all of God’s people and every Christian should know and keep them in his heart. I believe that our Lord Jesus said these scriptures in the book of (Matthew 22:37-39). Then one of Pharisees ask Jesus a question and he called Him Master.
Which is the great commandment in the Law? Then Jesus said unto him, “Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37); Now in verse 38, Jesus said, “This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 22:38); Here in verse 39, our Lord Jesus said, and the second is like it,
H) “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Matthew 22:39); Also our Lord Jesus said, this in verse 40, “On these two commandment’s hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:40); Remember we that are believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, and know Jesus as our own personal Savior. Also we should give Him praise and thank Him every day of our life. Why? Because Jesus shed His precious blood on that old rugged Cross so that we all could be free and have eternal life with Him in Heaven. But while we are waiting we must be telling everyone about God’s Salvation Plan. And that plan is called the “Gospel” or the “Good News,” this is the job of every born again believer that calls Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior.
I) Now in the book of Matthew, in chapter 28, these scriptures tells us that the disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them to go. (Matthew 28:16); and when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. (Matthew 28:17); and Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All authority is given unto me in Heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18); In verse 19; Jesus said, go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, which is Jesus, and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19); Also in verse 20, Jesus said, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world, (age). Amen. (Matthew 28:20);
J) Now you have just finish reading the two scriptures in the book of (Matthew 28:19-20). Most people that are Christians go to church on Sunday morning and then go out to eat lunch or a late dinner. But I would like to ask everyone a few questions about whose job it is to tell the “Good News” or the “Gospel”? Most Christians believe that this is the job of the pastor because that why we pay him for. But then there are the other type of Christians that believe that this job belongs to the Deacon in the church. Well, guess what, I believe that telling the Gospel is my job and every born again believers that has accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Yes that means all of us are commanded to go, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, which is Jesus, and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19); Remember time is running out for all those that are not saved. Also I believe that we are living in those last days right now and we as Christians have very little time left to tell our love ones and those who may not be saved about our Lord Jesus Salvation Plan. And that plan is called the “Gospel” or the “Good News,” this is the job of every born again believer that calls Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
K) Note: Now this concludes our Bible Study on the fourth chapter of the Book of Daniel. Please be much in prayer for me as I try to teach the fifth chapter of this great book of Daniel. Now remember that everything on this web-site is free. Please pass them on to other people if they have helped you.
Frank Rose